Group Identifies 3.3 Million Refugees In Nigeria, Moves To Launch Appeal Fund For Them

July 16, 2023

A faith-based philanthropic group, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society has identified over 3.3 million people that are currently internally displaced in Nigeria.
The group, in partnership with a UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has concluded an arrangement to organise fundraising activities to mobilise resources to support such internally displaced persons in the country.
“This partnership with UNHCR is an expansion of the work Al-Habibiyyah is doing to support the less privileged in society.”
A statement today July 16 from the group, quoted the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, as saying that the over 3.3 million IDPs in Nigeria cut across different regions of northeast, northwest, and northcentral.
“The perennial farmers-herders clashes in the northcentral as well as the banditry and kidnappings in the northwest have added to the displacement emergency in the northeast caused by non-state-armed groups. “These displaced communities are in dire need of support for basic amenities such as shelter, health, education, access to clean water, and protection from sexual violence.
“UNHCR has been at the forefront, responding to the needs of these IDPs, but the increasing number of displaced persons in Nigeria has exacerbated resources.
This partnership between UNHCR and the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society intends to mobilise support from Nigeria’s Muslim community and galvanise the spirit of Islamic philanthropy as a tool to support some of the most vulnerable populations amongst us.”
Imam Fuad Adeyemi recalled that the group fed no fewer than 2,000 people per day during the last Muslim Ramadan fasting through its food bank program in Abuja.
“We have over 20 years experience in fundraising as evident in our annual distribution of Zakat,”
Al-Habibiyyah is a faith-based organization in Nigeria whose mandate includes the propagation of Islam in Nigeria and beyond, Islamic & secular education, inter-religious dialogue, provision of social services such as health care, education & welfare assistance to people in need as well as the advancement of Islamic culture in all facets of human activities.
The group collaborates with fellow Muslims, Islamic organizations, and other refutable impact-making organizations whose vision & mandate matches theirs to deliver interventions that promote the well-being of the people and human dignity.
Similarly, UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency that leads international action to protect people forced to flee because of conflict and persecution.
It delivers life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future.
Since its formation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1951, UNHCR has helped millions of forcibly displaced people restart their lives and has received the Nobel Peace Prize twice.
In line with its global mandate, UNHCR in Nigeria works to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers, refugee returnees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and stateless men, women and children.

Military Coups Threaten Peace, Security; Cause Poverty, Others In Africa – Tinubu

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2023

Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that military Coups threaten peace, security and stability, and engender poverty, displacement and humanitarian crises in Africa.

Speaking today, July 15, in Nairobi, Kenya, Tinubu asked African leaders to respect democracy, rule of law, and ensure political stability.

In his statement at a high-level event, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the margins of Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting, President Tinubu called on African military institutions and states to recognize and respect the need for democratic renewal.

The Nigerian leader, who is also the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said coups d’état should be discouraged in the continent, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.

The President, in his statement, presented by Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that it is regrettable that West Africa, despite its numerous instruments and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, is leading other regions in the use of unconstitutional means to change governments.

He warned that the ugly trend of the military straying into the political arena is causing threats to peace, security and stability, and engendering poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.

”This ugly trend has only succeeded in threatening the peace, security and stability of the sub-region and by extension the African continent, leaving in its trail poverty, internally-displaced persons and humanitarian crisis. In the same vein, this ugly trend has also led to food shortages and escalated health challenges.

”We therefore must take deliberate steps to address the root causes of unconstitutional changes and coups d’état in Africa. As a continent, we cannot make progress toward achieving the goals and targets of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, as well as those of AU Agenda 2063 for the “Africa We Want.

”Between 2020 and now, Africa has witnessed six successful coups d’état and three unsuccessful attempts. This rise in military takeovers and unconstitutional changes in government disrupts our democratic processes and undermine stability on the continent.

”It is for this reason that I call on all African leaders at all levels to make concerted efforts in respecting the tenets of democracy and the rule of law, in order to ensure political stability on the continent.”

Reiterating that Africa has no intention of regressing on its democratic gains and credentials, as well as its maturing democratic political culture, President Tinubu said:

”I call on all Afro-centric supranational organisations, especially the African Union, the various Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, to individually and collectively adopt Protocols on democracy and good governance, and ensure their effective implementation.”

While acknowledging that democracy may present challenges in terms of management and dynamics, President Tinubu reiterated that it is the best form of government for 21st century Africa.

Drawing a comparison between military rule and democratic regimes, he noted that democracy ensures good governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

Emphasizing the need to disincentivize coups d’état, the ECOWAS Chairperson urged the United Nations to take a firm stance against military coups.

”It is my view that while grappling with the challenges caused by the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geostrategic tragedies, including insecurity and climate change amongst others, African leaders must disincentivize coups d’état.

”The United Nations must also stand firm and unyielding in its opposition to military coups,” he said.

He acknowledged that democracy and development are interconnected in achieving sustainable goals and the African vision, adding that commitment to democratic principles and governance is crucial for long-term peace, security, and economic growth.

As Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President expressed his readiness to work with the UNDP and other development partners to advance the course of democracy on the African continent.

The Nigerian leader thanked UNDP for inviting him to deliver a goodwill message at the event and assured the organization of his commitment to confronting the issue of military coups and promoting democratic renewal in Africa.

”The issue of Military Coups and the need for Democratic renewal in Africa is one that I am passionate about and indeed committed, along with my colleagues, to confront and we are prepared to change the narratives,” he said.

He commended the UNDP for launching its flagship report “Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa,” stating that the military has no place in the governance of the 21st Century Africa.

Jide Okeke, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), said his organization invited the Nigerian leader after his inspiring message, denouncing military coups, during his inauguration as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 9.

He expressed delight that President Tinubu’s presence and participation in the UN high-level event demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability, reasserting Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and the global community.

He described the President’s message as sending a positive signal to the international community about Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and stability.

On UNDP flagship report, the African Regional Coordinator said it is timely in advancing Nigeria’s vision of stability for West Africa and the continent as a whole.

He explained that the report combines empirical data, literature, and personal stories from citizens who have lived through coups, contrasting their experiences with those in countries transitioning to democracy.

Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambian Abroad, Dr Mamadou Tangara, Hanna Tetteh, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission, delivered their respective remarks at the event.

DSS Charges Suspended CBN Gov, Emefiele, With Possession Of Firearms

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2023

After all the noise, the Department of State Service (DSS) has finally charged the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition

The charge of illegally possessing of firearms is a downgrade of much weightier allegations of terrorism financing and economic sabotage which the DSS earlier levelled against Emefiele.

The case is based on two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

A copy of the charges shared on the television’s website showed that the case was filed on Thursday (13 July), the same day a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the DSS one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him.

The DSS had held Emefiele, who was arrested on 10 June, for over a month without charge until Thursday’s ruling.

In the newly filed case, the agency accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence; an offence said to be contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

In the second count, the DSS charged him with illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence. The offence is also said to be contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

The case has not been assigned to a judge.

Source: Channels Television reports.

Dana Air To Train, Employ 50 Youth Corpers

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2023

Dana Air has announced plans to absorb and train over 50 Corp members and interns as part of it’s broad Corporate Social Responsibility,
The airline said that the training will be across various areas which includes Human Resources, IT, Ticketing, Customer Service, Quality Assurance, Commercial, Marketing and others.
Speaking on the CSR drive, the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Ememobong Ettete said: “Dana Air’s CSR initiative is broad-base and inclusive.
“Since inception, we have trained a lot of corps members and interns who ended up becoming Cabin crew, Ticketing officers, customer Service agents, HR Officers and even Accountants.
“The list is endless, and this is because we believe that we can create a career path for these young Nigerians and give them a clear direction as most of them are actually very passionate about aviation but have not got the opportunity to explore or venture, but we have been creating that window for them and the impact has been huge.
”Yes, it is happening at a peculiar time but CSR is a commitment and everything doesn’t have to be rosy for you to be driven to implement it.
”We also have those who are currently doing their OJT ( On the job training) with us and they are doing incredibly well also.”

Don’t Try The “Nonsense” Of Sit-At-Home In Yoruba Land, Aare Onakakanfo Warns Biafran Agitator

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2023

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has warned Simon Ekpa, factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), not to bring the sit-at-home protest into Lagos State, the heartbeat of Yoruba Land.
Adams further warned that the South-West is not part of “the Biafra Republic’ and as such, it is preposterous for “outsiders to dictate or impose their agenda on people of other regions who they cohabit with as residents.”
Aare Onakakanfo was today, July 15, reacting to Simon Ekpan, self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu who ordered a sit-at-home protest in Lagos State, saying that the order is part of actions to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Gani Adams cautioned the Finnish-based ethnic propagandist to desist from “repeating the mistake of the 1970s,” and drop the move.
“I can’t go to the South East now and say I want to decide for the people of that region. So, it is not possible to import the South-East agenda into Yorubaland. It would be counter-productive. We advise him (Ekpa) to drop that idea.
“He should not try that nonsense. The South West is not Biafra Republic. Any attempt to impose the Biafra Republic agenda will be resisted. He should desist from repeating the mistake of the 1970s. He should be very, very careful.
“They are entitled to their opinion, but South West is not their Biafran region. He should be very, very careful,” Gani warned Ekpa.
Source: Tribune.

We’ve Fully Settled Our Financial Obligations To African Union – Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2023

The Permanent Secretary in the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa has confirmed that Nigeria has fulfilled all its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023.
Speaking today, July 15, on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya, Ambassador Lamuwa said that the payment demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for living up to expectations not only as the Chairperson of ECOWAS but also as a President who emphasizes prompt payment of financial assessments.
During the Executive Council meeting, the Permanent Secretary shared Nigeria’s stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU.
He welcomed the consideration of the economic outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs, over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.
‘‘Nigeria emphasized the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication.
‘‘Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfill their financial obligations.”
The Permanent Secretary called for synergy and complementarity among AU organs and departments and requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
He stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.
Ambassador Lamuwa also highlighted that the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State’s participation adopted the theme of Education for the AU in 2024.
He said that this aligns well with President Tinubu’s focus on education as a priority area domestically, making his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial.
President Tinubu is scheduled to attend the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting tomorrow, July 16, in Nairobi, where discussions on other significant matters will take place.
Nigeria is one of the major financial contributors to the African Union (AU), alongside four other member-states.
The AU’s 2023 budget of $654.8 million is primarily financed through annual statutory contributions and voluntary contributions from development partners, as well as other miscellaneous income.
Development partners play a crucial role in supporting the AU’s budget, covering at least 67% of the total amount while Member-states, including Nigeria, contribute to the remaining balance of the budget based on the approved scale of assessment by the Executive Council.

NAF Aircraft Crashes In Benue, 2 Occupants Survive

Editorial staff

July 14, 2023

Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft has crashed in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

In a statement today, July 14, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, e said that the incident occurred this evening, while the aircraft was on a routine training exercise.

Gabkwet said that two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility.

The statement reads: “Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.

“Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi. Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.”

Source: NAN.

Reps To Probe Poor Handling Of This Year’s Pilgrimage In Saudi Arabia

Editorial staff

July 14, 2023

The House of Representatives have resolved to probe this year’s hajj operations in Saudi Arabia.

The decision to probe the Hajj operations was taken after the adoption of a motion, titled: “Need to Investigate the Untold Hardship Faced by Nigerian Pilgrims at the Recently Concluded 2023 Hajj,” sponsored by Ahmed Idris Wase (Plateau APC).

Wase, who was the Deputy Speaker of the 9th House, said that many public officials had no tent and were made to sleep in unhealthy places and conditions during the operation, and accused the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) mandated to cater to the pilgrims’ affairs of not ameliorating the plight of Nigerian Hajj pilgrims.

“We are aware that Nigerian pilgrims were subjected to untold hardships during the Hajj exercise from the inability of some airlines (such as Arik) to lift pilgrims due to lack of aircraft; lack of adequate tent accommodation at Mina and Arafat; substandard tents with unhealthy living conditions and environment; lack of proper medical attention to pilgrims in cases of emergency; lack of proper transportation logistics for Nigerian pilgrims; Nigerians being made to miss their flights due to stringent bottlenecks regarding withholding of their passports; and inability to secure airport slots for Nigerian airline operators for lifting of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia back to the country and many others.

“VIP pilgrims were made to pay about $5,000 for VIP tents and despite this exorbitant amount, pilgrims were stranded while others got tents of lesser value than what they paid for.

“Some tour operators perpetrated the worst form of unprofessionalism by failing to provide services promised to pilgrims in terms of accommodation, tent, feeding or transportation.

“It is disturbing that there was the absence of emergency medical services for sick pilgrims in distress at Mina camp as many distressed patients could not be attended to due to restrictions of ambulance access to the camp.”

The House ordered the Committee on Pilgrims Affairs, when constituted, to investigate and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

It also ordered the Committee on Legislative Compliance, when constituted, to ensure implementation.

Fourteen pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj.

According to the head of the Nigerian medical team for the pilgrimage, Dr. Usman Galadima, seven pilgrims died during pre-Arafat, and that there was one casualty from Plateau State; two from Kaduna; two from Osun; one from Borno; one from Yobe; one from the Federal Capital Territory; one from Benue; while Lagos had one.

The House said that 95,000 Nigerians went for Hajj pilgrimage this year.

When Oyo Oba, Francis Alao, Come Calling On President Tinubu

Greenbarge Reporters

July 14, 2023

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon in Oyo State, Oba Francis Olusola Alao (second from left) was at the Presidential villa in Abuja today July 14, on a private visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
After the visit, the monarch told newsmen that he had come to the President to wish him well, a successful tenure and discussed some national issues that will bring prosperity to all Nigerians.
“All I will say is, let all Nigerians be patient with him. He has kicked started on a very positive direction and there’s no way you’ll have gains without pain.

“We’ll have the immediate pain, but we’ll have the long term gain. “Nigerians will enjoy prosperity at the end of the day. This government means business and the business is to serve the people, to bring the dividends of democracy to the people.
“All the issues we have discussed are very positive about this government. I wish Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a successful tenure. I wish Nigeria a peaceful coexistent country, a prosperous nation and fulfilled country, by the special grace of God.”

From left to right: Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, Chief (Mrs) Bimbola Fadamilola, Olori Adedoyin Alao, Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, HRH Oba Francis Olusola Alao, President Bola Tinubu, Otunba Tomi Araromi, Akogun Bolaji Adigun and Prof. Adeolu Akande during the visit.

Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency On Food Production; To Crash Food Prices

Greenbarge Reporters

July 14, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally declared emergency in food security with back up agenda to bring about abundant food items, leading to crash in their prices

One of the items the President listed is the urgent move to create cattle ranch (Ruga) in each State, as a way of stopping Fulani herders from moving their cattles all over the place and streets in major cities.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, July 13, at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake said that the President is fully aware of the current food inflation in the country.

“Mr. President is not unmindful of the rising cost of food and how it affects the citizens. “While availability is not a problem, affordability has been a major issue to many Nigerians in all parts of the country.

“This has led a significant drop in demand, thereby undermining the viability of the entire agriculture and food value chain.

“Accordingly, in line with this administration’s position on ensuring that the most vulnerable are supported, Mr. President has declared, with immediate effect, the following actions:

• That a state of emergency on food security be announced immediately, and

• That all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.”

He said that as a direct and immediate response to this crisis, a number of initiatives will be deployed in the coming weeks to reverse this inflationary trend and guarantee future uninterrupted supplies of affordable foods to ordinary Nigerians.

According to Alake, there would be immediate, medium and long-term interventions and solutions.

“In the immediate term, we intend to deploy some savings from the fuel subsidy removal into the Agricultural sector focusing on revamping the agricultural sector.

“In an earlier meeting with Agriculture Stakeholders (today), we drafted a memorandum of partnership between the government and the individual stakeholder representatives that encompasses the decisions taken and actions proposed from our engagements.

“The immediate intervention strategies are as follows:

1. We will immediately release fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.

2. There must be an urgent synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is produced all-year round.”

He said that President Tinubu made it clear that we can no be comfortable with seasonal farming, saying: “we can no longer afford to have farming down times.”

Read part of the President’s measures to address the food security challenges in the country:

We shall create and support a National Commodity Board that will review and continuously assess food prices as well as maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as a price stabilisation mechanism for critical grains and other food items.

Through this board, government will moderate spikes and dips in food prices.

To achieve this, we have the following stakeholders on board to support the intervention effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: The National Commodity Exchange (NCX), Seed Companies, National Seed Council and Research institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Food Processing/ Agric Processing associations, private sector holders & Prime Anchors, small holder farmers, crop associations and Fertilizer producers, blenders and suppliers associations to mention a few.

We will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.

The Central Bank will continue to play a major role of funding the agricultural value chain.

Activation of land banks. There is currently 500,000 hectares of already mapped land that will be used to increase availability of arable land for farming which will immediately impact food output.

– Mechanization and land clearing – The government will also collaborate with mechanization companies to clear more forests & make them available for farming

River basins- there are currently 11 rivers basins that will ensure planting of crops during the dry season with irrigation schemes that will guarantee continuous farming production all year round, to stem the seasonal glut and scarcity that we usually experience.

We will deploy concessionary capital/funding to the sector, especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labour, etc.

The concessionary funds will ensure food is always available and affordable thereby having a direct impact on Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI). This administration is focused on ensuring the HCI numbers, which currently ranks as the 3rd lowest in the world, are improved for increased productivity.

Transportation and Storage: The cost of transporting Agricultural products has been a major challenge (due to permits, toll gates, and other associated costs). When the costs of moving farm produce is significantly impacted – it will immediately be passed to the consumers, which will affect the price of food – the government will explore other means of transportation including rail and water transport, to reduce freight costs and in turn impact the food prices.

As for storage, existing warehouses and tanks will be revamped to cut waste & ensure efficient preservation of food items.

We will Increase revenue from food and agricultural exports. As we ensure there is sufficient, affordable food for the populace, we will concurrently work on stimulating the export capacity of the Agric sector.

Trade Facilitation: Transportation, storage and export will be improved by working with the Nigerian Customs, who have assured us that the bottlenecks experienced in exporting and importing food items as well as intra-city transportation through tolling will be removed.

These are some of the immediate interventions this government will put in place to tackle this crisis.

Principally, one of the major positive outcomes of these interventions will be a massive boost in employment and job creation.

Indeed, agriculture already accounts for about 35.21 percent of employment in Nigeria (as at 2021), the target is to double this percentage to about 70% in the long term.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to create jobs for our teeming youth population will be achieved with between 5 to 10 million more jobs created within the value chain, working with the current 500,000 hectares of arable land and the several hundreds of thousands more farmlands to be developed in the medium term.

In closing, this administration understands that food and water are the bedrock of survival and therefore is calling on all Nigerians to partner us in ensuring the success of this strategic intervention. This administration is working assiduously to ensure that Nigerians do not struggle with their essential needs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wishes to use this medium to continue to assure Nigerians that this administration will not relent in its efforts until all strategic interventions are deployed efficiently and effectively and until every household is positively impacted. Our president is the president of all Nigerians and the father of the nation. The renewed hope mandate remains alive and no one, absolutely no one, will be left behind.

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